Proteins used in nutritional assessment

The importance of maintaining or restoring the size of the protein pool remains the primary objective of nutrition therapy for the hospitalized patient. Also, newer nutritional markers are needed that identify malnourished patients and effectively monitor nutritional intervention on the patient's nutritional status. To do this, one must assess protein pools in an effective manner. Newer protein markers must have a short biologic half-life and reflect protein deficiency with decreasing serum concentrations. The proteins discussed offer unique opportunities for investigating malnutrition in the hospital and clinic setting. More studies to elucidate the effects that diseases and drugs have on these proteins in particular patient subpopulations are needed. Additional methods also need to be developed to make assays for SMC and interleukin cost effective in hospital or clinic settings. In the next decade, certainly more research will be undertaken on these promising new nutritional markers.